Loren Barrigar Update
From Loren:
"In the early afternoon of Oct 1, I found myself as a Level One trauma patient at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. I had a terrible kickback accident involving a chainsaw. In that instant, my mind could only think of my fingers not working, as I noticed immediately that my third and fourth fingers were locked into a position and I could not feel or move them.
These thoughts overrode any physical pain. Unable to use my cell phone to call 911, as I was deathly afraid to take my right hand off the open wound on my left wrist, I made my way to a nearby Convenience store frantically searching for help. This was the first moment in my life that I was actually afraid for my life.
It took 22 minutes for the ambulance to arrive, minutes that seemed like hours. I was wheeled into the trauma room with a medical staff of twenty waiting for me, giving me things from tetanus shots to x-rays to morphine. Looking around, it felt like a surreal nightmare.
In a matter of hours, I was stitched up and sent home, with two weeks to wait for the injury to "define" itself, as I was told by the physicians. That's a very long time for a guitar player to wake up with fingers that don't work, to wait for answers. At the time I was in complete denial, thinking that the following day I would wake up and be able to play again.
It took time to accept the fact that it would not be days...or weeks, but long months ahead before I would be able to perform again for my friends and fans.
On October 18th, I underwent an exploratory surgical procedure by Dr. Michael Schreck and the Upstate Orthopedic Surgeons medical team to determine the extent of the damage and repair the nerves and tendons that were ravaged by the chainsaw. His team was able to successfully graft a section of the Ulnar nerve and repair the damage to one of my tendons. Unfortunately, although the repairs, by technical standpoint are successful, the reality of full recovery is a complete unknown.
Asking for help has never been one of my strong suits. I just never really wanted to bother anybody, but my family and friends have convinced me to accept help at this time and I'm not afraid to say that I could use it.
Although the initial goal has been met, donations are still welcome on GoFundMe or via check . Your contributions continue to assist Loren as he travels the road back to health .
Checks may be mailed if you do not wish to donate online. Get well cards are welcome too!
Loren Barrigar
PO Box 121
Skaneateles, NY 13152
United States